Tomobata Festival

About this event

Held as the spring festival of Mifune Shrine, the tutelary deity of Ogi, the 'Tomobata Festival' is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture. The highlight of the festival is the spectacle of nine boats—hoisting large banners, five-colored streamers, and big catch flags—racing around Ogi Port bay to the energetic sounds of bells and drums. The sight of the fleet moving in formation is magnificent and captivates onlookers. The festival originated in the mid-Meiji era when children wrote ship names on small flags, placed them on wooden sculling boats, and played while praying for safety and abundant catches; later, it became customary to run boats to escort the mikoshi (portable shrine) around the port, evolving into today's 'Tomobata Festival.' It is traditionally said that if a northeast wind blows on the day of the festival and changes to a southwest wind by the time it ends, there will be a bountiful catch. The boats are colorfully decorated with paper strips and streamers, and a ceremonial 'Gozabune' carrying the mikoshi also appears, further enlivening the celebration.

Venue

Ogi Port

17-73 Ogi, Noto-cho, Hosu-gun, Ishikawa 927-0553